SAN BRUNO, Calif. --- The University of Portland garnered the maximum
seven first place votes and was selected as the preseason favorite in
the 2009 West Coast Conference women's soccer head coaches preseason
poll. The Pilots are followed in the poll by 2008 NCAA Tournament
participant San Diego, which was picked second, Santa Clara third, and
Pepperdine tabbed fourth. Rounding out this year's poll was Loyola
Marymount, picked fifth, followed by Gonzaga in sixth, San Francisco in
seventh, and Saint Mary's eighth.

The Pilots, who captured their second consecutive conference title and
fourth in the last five seasons in 2008, have won a WCC record 10
conference crowns. Portland welcomes back nine starters and 18
letterwinners overall from last year's team that posted a 20-2-0 overall
record and advanced to its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament
quarterfinals. In addition to earning to the top spot in the preseason
poll, the Pilots also landed the most players on the WCC preseason
all-conference team in seniors Kelsey Davis and Michelle Enyeart, junior
Sophie Schmidt, and sophomore Danielle Foxhoven.

San Diego returns eight starters including 21 letterwinners overall from
last year's squad that posted a 15-5-3 overall record and advanced to
the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Toreros, who posted a
program-best 6-1 WCC record last season, will be led by 2008 All-WCC
first team member Jackie Zinke, who was also named to the preseason
all-conference team, and Natalie Garcia, Elissa Magracia, and Stephanie
Ochs, all of whom were named to the 2008 All-WCC freshman team.

The Santa Clara Broncos were decimated with injuries during the 2008
season, resulting in a disappointing 4-12-4 record. The Broncos are led
by a trio of seniors who were named to the WCC preseason all-conference
team in Kiki Bosio, Dani Potts, and Katherine Reynolds.

Pepperdine narrowly edged rival Loyola Marymount for fourth place in the
preseason poll. The Waves and the Lions return two of the best forwards
in the conference in Laura Cole and Lily Sorentino, both of whom were
selected to the preseason all-conference squad.

Rounding out this year's poll is Gonzaga (16), San Francisco (12), and
Saint Mary's (11). The Zags and the Gaels will both be under new
leadership this season as Amy Edwards takes over the helm of the Gonzaga
program and Kai Edwards assumes the head coach position at Saint Mary's.
Gonzaga will look to 2008 All-WCC first team member Sheridan Jones,
selected to the preseason all-conference team, for leadership. The Dons
begin their third season under Head Coach Mark Carr and should benefit
from the return of eight starters.